Advent 2009

December 3 – Thursday, Feast of St. Francis Xavier

Today's thought

Brianna grew up in a religious but fairly straight-laced family, good people but not a little judgemental of others. Through her school years Brianna topped the religious education class and was a font of answers for the playground’s religious enquirers.

Some of Brianna’s certainties faded a few years after she left school.  Her brother Cameron became paralysed after a severe motor bike accident.  Brianna’s family and Brianna herself noticed that those who stuck by the family through Cameron’s ordeal were their ‘non-believing’ neighbours rather than their fellow worshippers.

Scripture  

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord”, who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven.

- Matthew 7:21

Prayer

Gracious God, You raised up St. Francis Xavier to bring the news of your love to the nations. May his life and example lead us to reveal your kingdom through caring for others. We ask you this through Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

Poetry extract 

I can tune in to people telling their
stories real slow in the form of asides
& catch myself doing a lot of smiling
to hold back tears.

- From “New Orleans Intermission” by Al Young